State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam today spoke at an exchange of views meeting at the Shibganj. Photo : PID

BOGURA, Aug 1, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam today said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman believes there is no alternative to sports in building a healthy, talented and patriotic generation.

The present government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, considers sports an important component of national development, he said.

The state minister made the remarks at an exchange of views meeting as the chief guest organised on the occasion of the "Prime Minister's Gold Cup National Football Tournament 2026" with the participation of heads of schools, colleges and madrasas and physical education teachers of Bogura-2 (Shibganj-Mokamtala) constituency at the Shibganj Upazila Auditorium, said a press release.

He said the Prime Minister's Gold Cup is not merely a football tournament, but a national initiative to identify talented footballers from the grassroots across the country.

The event has been arranged to ensure that students of every educational institution in both urban and rural areas get the opportunity to develop their talents, he added.

Mir Shahe Alam said the government, following the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has been working consistently to create a sporting environment in every upazila, preserve playgrounds, expand sports activities to keep young people away from drugs and crime, and produce athletes of international standard.

He sought the overall cooperation of educational institutions, teachers, guardians and all concerned to make the upcoming Prime Minister's Gold Cup National Football Tournament a success.

The state minister also distributed one football to each educational institution.

Chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ziaur Rahman, the meeting was also addressed by Acting President of Upazila BNP SM Tajul Islam, General Secretary of Upazila BNP Advocate Abdul Ohab, Convener of the State Minister's Education Advisory Committee Professor Nazrul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Shibganj Police Station Shahinuzzaman Shahin, Upazila Secondary Education Officer Tarikul Alam, Student Affairs Secretary of Upazila BNP Mir Shakrul Alam Simanto, General Secretary of Poura BNP Abdul Karim, President of Upazila Jubo Dal Khalid Hasan Arman, and representatives of local political, administrative and educational institutions.

The programme was conducted by Member of the State Minister's Education Advisory Committee and Headmaster Harunur Rashid Master, and Headmaster Tajul Islam.